Beth Finke

Bob Glowacki

Katy Beh Neas

Rachel Talen

The U. S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling upholding affordable care subsidies is an enormous win for people with disabilities.
Had the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell prevailed, as many as 6.4 million Americans would have been in danger of losing the federal tax credits they need to pay insurance premiums under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Of vital importance is...

In the spring of 1934, we launched our first Easter “seals” campaign to raise money for our services. The seals were stickers about the same size as postage stamps, and donors placed them on envelopes and letters to show their support.

Amy Adams’ first class seat for a first class citizen

As a self-proclaimed pop culture junkie, I get a kick out of the “Stars, they’re just like us” column in my weekly light reading. Society puts celebrities on such a pedestal that pictures of our favorite stars pumping gas, reading a book, and (gasp!) grocery shopping, are considered newsworthy.

On June 27, one simple act of kindness broke into Twitter, the entertainment world and major global news outlets. Amy Adams, one of Hollywood’s top stars, quietly gave up her first-class seat to a serviceman sitting in coach. Adams didn’t trade her seat for publicity reasons, and if an ESPN reporter with a large following hadn’t been on the same flight and seen the exchange, this would not be news.

Jemele Hill, a co-host of ESPN2′s “Numbers Never Lie” show was on that flight with Amy Adams, though, and she tweeted about what she saw. “I noticed Ms. Adams was in first-class and as I was getting seated, I saw the flight attendant guide the soldier to Ms. Adams’ seat. She was no longer in it, but it was pretty clear that she’d given up her seat for him,” Hill said in a story on ABC News. “I was incredibly impressed, and I’m not even sure if the soldier knew who gave him that seat. I guess he will now!”

An act like this headlining ABC News tells us just how rare a gesture it is. The deed is praiseworthy and shows Adams as a class act.

We view celebrities as selfish and aloof, focused on their own popularity and out of touch with those outside of the Hollywood scene. This phenomenon begs the question…would WE [“average” Americans] do the same?

I love random acts of kindness. One of my favorite college memories involved girls leaving “you are beautiful” notes on bathroom mirrors throughout campus. During the holiday season I am quick to buy a coffee for the person behind me in the Starbucks drive-thru line. Yet I am mortified to realize that if I had a first-class seat, I would not have thought to give it up for a first-class citizen.

My hope is that Adams’ deed will inspire a trend of honoring those whom have done so much to honor our country. Not everyone can afford a first-class ticket, but a genuine “thank you” doesn’t cost a thing. I am challenging myself to thank the service men and women in my community, and I encourage you all to do the same.